I have a soapbox....getting pregnant before a year.

I never asked anyone to agree with me, but I think that it's unecessary to scare the crap out of all the women here who ARE pregnant < 1 year out regardless of the situation.  Like I said, many people read those posts and telling people that our babies could be brain damaged - especially those that are pregnant already, worried, and hormonal, is just not right.  

I would never suggest anyone get pregnant while still rapidly losing weight - but if someone is no longer losing, then to each their own, as I see it.  But that's my opinion.  I'm not asking anyone to apologize...but for those of us in a situation where we got pregnant too soon, it just seems mean to say we could likely be causing our kids to be brain damaged. 

However, if my kid ends up brain damaged because I had him too soon, I'll be sure to let everyone here know.  So far, he's smart as a whip and funny as hell...CRAZY, yes...but so far, no brain damage.  Although, he does eat crayons...

Sandy

I think it's really a matter of helping someone avoid potential problems versus giving someone reassurance that even though it's already a done deal, it's not a hopeless situation - and that as long as they increase carbs (which most of the early outs who come here scared and asking questions are told - by several people - to do for the very reason Erika was told about the brain damage problems...ketones=bad for baby's brain), get the labs done and stay in contact w/their surgeon and dr...they CAN have a healthy pregnancy/baby.  It just makes sense to tell someone who's contemplating getting pg so early what the complications could be...versus telling the one who's already in that situation what to do to try to prevent the problems. Telling Erika that if she could wait just a few more months - not even a year! - that she could experience a much healthier pregnancy was meant as a kindness. 

Unfortunately...there's no way to flag a post 'Hey...if you're early out and already pg...DON'T READ THIS! It contains information that may scare you!' and I'm pretty sure even if we were able to flag it in such a manner, then first ones to come read it would be the same early WLS patients who are now pg.  It's human nature...same as rubber necking on the freeway.  If you tell your kids 'don't look in this box, there's something in there you don't need to see' then leave the room...the first thing they're going to do when you leave is go open the box.

I also realize Erika didn't ask if she was TTC too early out...but coming to a board like this where there are women w/knowledge about potential complications - whether it's ketosis, vit deficiencies, or other health problems that have been faced because of the early pregnancy - it would be wrong of the women who know this information NOT to share it.   If I were crossing the  street and didn't see a bus coming...I'd hope someone would tell me the bus was coming BEFORE it  hit me rather than stand there and wait for it to hit me and say 'I could have told you it was coming if you'd have just asked that specific question.'

I'm sorry Erika got offended and left because people were telling her what she didn't want to hear...and I'm glad she did go get the permission of her PCP and surgeon. Hopefully when the time is right, she'll get pregnant and have a healthy baby while maintaining her own health at the same time.  My unsolcited opinion in the matter remains the same though...I think she should wait a few more months before TTC.  I believe she indicated she's 28...so waiting a few months is not going to throw her into menopause and unable to have a baby.  I could almost understand the TTC earlier than the average dr recommended it if she were my age (41) or had other issues (I don't know...was facing a hysterectomy down the road due to some unknown issue?) and in a race w/Mother Nature to have children before it's too late...but at 28 w/o a screaming biological clock?  Sorry...I can't in all honestly say I'd encourage getting pg just because she wanted it NOW. 

BTW...I'm sure Kellen's fine...and I hope you don't obsess about him being brain damaged until he's in kindergarten.  I'm sure you increased your carbs (not just calories) as soon as you found out you were pg....whether that advice came from your dr, this board, or elsewhere.  I can't wait to meet him.

HEALTHY PERFECT GOD GIVEN BLESSING OF A BABY GIRL HERE.  CONCEIVED AT 5 mos post op.  *IT WAS INTENTIONAL.*  AND I'M NOT SORRY.  Anyone who doesn't like it, I have a nice cushy place you can kiss.  Ksandra, I've been fighting this fight for a while now, welcome to it.  I've been called a selfish idiot for my choice, but guess what, everyone is different.  You can't paint everyone with the same brush.  Well you can try but it won't be true.  It is not always unsafe to get pregnant early, it is not always safe to get pregnant later either.  Just sit tight knowing you are right and let the opposition go on opposing the truth.